When observing Chinese dynasties today, it is seen that all the dynasties combined have lasted around 4000 years, from the Xia to the Qing, but how did each individual dynasty truly last so long? There were three major factors that led to lengthy Chinese dynasties. First of all, the Chinese dynasties’ trade and its evolution led to the wealth of several Chinese dynasties, enabling longer rule. The political innovations and structures created and adapted by the Chinese were effective, and led to more efficient ruling, lengthening the lifespan of the dynasties. Finally, the many intellectual creations and innovations produced by several dynasties led to easier life and increased stability, enabling the dynasty to last longer. The …show more content…
Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty, adopted the centralized government that Shi Huangdi had put in place, where a central authority runs the state. Furthermore, Bang placed commanderies to report to the government. Finally, he lowered taxes and decreased the harshness of punishments put by Huangdi. The centralized government and commanderies enabled the Han to last longer because there was no longer just a dynasty king, but an entire centralized government, working more efficiently, to run the dynasty. Also, the commanderies were useful because they would probably report any suspicious activity or keep an eye on officials, keeping the government aware of what’s going on, and enabling it to prevent any conflict, lengthening its time. Lowering the taxes and lowering the harshness led to people’s support and happiness, leading to less conflict, and longer lifetime. The political innovation invented by the Han, which enabled the dynasties to last longer, was the civil service system. The civil service jobs created by Wudi, enabled civilians to obtain government jobs through examination. Wudi created a school to teach Confucianism, and the people who wanted jobs were examined on Confucian knowledge and other subjects. If they pass, they get a government job, and this helped dynasties last longer. Since the people in jobs were now educated, it led to a more educated ruling body, which enabled it to make better decisions and function better, so the dynasty can last longer and experience less